Panic Disorder

Our psychologists at Cova Psychology are highly trained in delivering therapy for panic disorder using one or a combination of the following evidence-based therapeutic modalities:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is an exceptionally well-researched therapeutic approach for treating panic disorder. Using CBT, our clinicians can help you to understand and identify any triggers that may be contributing to panic attacks, explore and challenge any relevant negative beliefs and thought patterns, and replacing any avoidance behaviours with different coping skills to help you better manage the anxieties associated with panic disorder.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT is also strongly supported by research as an effective therapeutic approach for panic disorder. Interestingly, the psychologist who invented ACT (Steven Hayes) was inspired to develop this form of therapy through his own experiences with panic disorder. Using ACT, our clinicians can support you in shifting the way that you relate to the physical sensations of anxiety by promoting a nonjudgmental stance.
• Mindfulness-based therapies: During mindfulness-based therapy sessions, our clinicians can provide a safe space for you to practise different techniques that activate the “relaxation response”, in order for you to apply these strategies in relation to your panic disorder symptoms.
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): DBT is a skills based therapy and many of the strategies can be applied to help manage panic attacks. Emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills in particular can be used to assist in managing symptoms of fight flight response.
• Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR): Sometimes panic disorder is underpinned by traumatic experiences which may benefit from processing with a trauma therapy such as EMDR. Our Melbourne psychologists are trained to assess and treat psychological trauma and related issues, including panic disorder.